"Because I would like to have a building left when you finish."
Bai Li laughed.
Lili ran in from the balcony. "The mint is thirsty."
Bai Li immediately turned. "How thirsty?"
Yan Cijin stared at her. "You can't be serious."
"Plants matter."
"I know."
"Then come."
Lili grabbed her hand again.
Yan Cijin watched them go.
Mother Yan came up beside her.
"She likes you."
Yan Cijin smiled. "Lili likes Bai Li too."
Mother Yan nodded. "I meant Bai Li."
Yan Cijin went quiet.
Her mother smiled gently. "I didn't say anything bad."
"Mom."
"I only said she likes you."
Yan Cijin looked toward the balcony. Bai Li was crouched beside Lili,
checking a row of small pots while the little girl talked nonstop.
"I know," Yan Cijin said softly.
Mother Yan did not push. She simply handed her a folded cloth. "Help her
before she decides the balcony needs rebuilding too."
Yan Cijin laughed. "That sounds like something she would do."
She followed them outside.
